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GC
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Nov 30, 2013, 8:50 PM
Post #1 of 8
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Automotive Service
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Its frustrating to see such a negative view of the automotive service industry. Ive had people make comments to me about percieved wrongs done by a shop or tech, just because they didnt understand the situation. In the relatively short time ive been active on this site, I've seen a number of posts slighting mechanics or paranoia of being scammed by one. There used to be a time when I would have sympathized with these comments, but after having some experience in this field, heres my thoughts 1: People object to the high hourly rates charged by shops - The investment in tools alone is staggering. The tech has to recoup this cost, but unfortunately dont get much of that hourly rate. The shop has lots of overhead - operating expenses, service manager(s), equipment, etc.. The skill set required to work on modern vehicles demands a smart, motivated person who has good working knowledge of electrical and mechanical engineering. This is not a person who deserves to make the same $ as a high school kid flipping burgers. 2: Every mechanic I know is an honest person who wants their customers to have a reliable vehicle. At the end of the day, though, they need to charge a reasonable fee for the job performed if they want to keep the doors open. OK Im off my soapbox, just had to vent this out. Its just frustrating when people come in with the preconcieved idea that you are going to try to scam them.
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Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Nov 30, 2013, 10:57 PM
Post #2 of 8
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Re: Automotive Service
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Well,,,sadly this is something that has been going on well before I started turning wrenches some 30+ years ago and I am confident that it will be going on long after my box rolls out the shop for the last time.
There are just some professions out there that get bad raps and being a automotive tech is one of them...
A few things contribute to that one is lack of understanding......Shop X wants $150 to put frt brks on my car....I can get pads at AZ for $20......Thieves!!
Another thing is.....Well.....There just some bad people out there....just like every walk of life...You have to realize that we don't get to pick our team....Everyone who has a wrench and calls themselves a mechanic is part of the club.....This includes all the guys doing side that have victims instead of customers....and it's not saying everyone doing side work is crooked, I just think from what I've seen......the rate is higher and we all take the rap for it..
You can't take it personal.....for your whole career, you are going to have people come up to you and call you a thief to your face, while they are smiling....You will develop a clientele that know you personally.....That is where things will be good.....They will know you are honest, do good work and won't question every little detail because they won't be worried about getting ripped off...
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 1, 2013, 7:53 AM
Post #3 of 8
(2612 views)
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Re: Automotive Service
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I'm also sad to sad that it appears that this economy is creating a whole new generation of thieves Techs don't have the luxury of picking and choosing who they work for as they did in years before and they are being forced to do things they never would have before if they want to keep their jobs.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Dec 1, 2013, 7:54 AM)
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Sidom
Veteran
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Dec 1, 2013, 9:12 AM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: Automotive Service
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So true.....If anything that has raised the experience level of the guys doing sidework.......I've seen good techs who back in the day never messed with side jobs....now doing side work. I use to mess with that but not anymore....Now it's just family and friends....and only good friends at that....lmao.....I guess I'm in a good situation if I wanted to do side jobs.....The shop I'm is closed on weekend and I can use it for anything I want, as long as the bays & alignment rack is clear by Monday morning....
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GC
User
Dec 1, 2013, 9:30 AM
Post #5 of 8
(2600 views)
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Re: Automotive Service
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I think some of those chain stores/repair facilities are making matters worse. I dont know anyone who works at one, but I imagine they are pushed hard to sell sell sell - based on what ive heard from customers coming in with a list of things they were told they needed from some of these places, and then comparing it with what I find. I too am fortunate that I can turn away a job if I dont feel comfortable doing it, im not pressured to sell or generate work, and I can use the shop whenever I want. I just dont have time for side work anyway.
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Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Dec 1, 2013, 10:05 AM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: Automotive Service
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Oh yea that is another factor of so many that contribute to the bad rap......
Those chains are just like any other business....They have an upper management structure.......They have numbers & quotas they have to make based off of last years performance. Any cooperate retail business is like that...
But instead of being called a "pushy salesman".....WE get the thief rap...
The key to those "list" is there has to be something wrong....whether it's maintenance based off mileage, a seal starting to seep or a little play on something....Most can wait and is probably not serious at that point.......But people do get tired of getting a "laundry list" on their car everytime they go in, but if up selling means your a thief.......then....man.....they are everywhere...
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 2, 2013, 5:31 PM
Post #7 of 8
(2572 views)
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Re: Automotive Service
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I've come to the conclusion to stop worrying about how people feel about our industry. You can't control what every tech or shop does out there. Just do the best quality job you can with every vehicle you work on and you'll be fine. There are going to be people ripping and sticking it to their clientele in any field.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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GC
User
Dec 2, 2013, 7:45 PM
Post #8 of 8
(2567 views)
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Re: Automotive Service
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Agreed DS. Every now and then it gets under my skin though. Im over it for now. 
____________________________________________________
Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob
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